Moving onto the next group, Arkimedia interviewed Architect Hector Micheal Balanak of H.

Balanak Architects and Planners. He was an architect who knows no bounds. He studied architecture at
the Far Eastern University in the year 1999 to 2004 and got his license in 2006. He is also a licensed
Environmental Planner and Licensed Financial Advisor. He is the CEO of H. Balanak Architects and
Planners and the President and CEO of FormArc Builders. The flow of their interview was unique and
somewhat unexpected. The editing was superb and the voiceover was excellent.

At first, they introduced Architect Balanak together with his firm and his awesome works. They
introduced him in a fashion that it was like a montage of his achievement and his role as an architect but
make no mistake, it was wonderful. As for the things that we learned from the interview, we learned a
lot. Words from an architect sure is inspiring and it contains a lot of useful information that we can use
as a student.

First, we learned how the first project was the most meaningful one in an architect’s life.
According to Ar. Balanak, when we’re first starting as an Architect in the field, we’re not particularly sure
if the client fully trusts us because we are simply fresh from the school but we should always focus on
the bright side and do what the client wants us to do. That way, we can show them what we’re made of
and hope that they appreciate our efforts. This will hopefully get us most client via referrals of satisfied
clients.

Secondly, according to Ar. Balanak, when you’ve established your name a trustworthy and skilled
Architect, people will come to your firm/office purely by themselves that is why the first stage is always
the important one. He said that we should have a good relationship with our clients and we should gain
their trust the easy way. That way, when we finish a project, someday they’re going back to us for a
second and hopefully many more times. He also stated that we have to keep up with the trend as that’s
where he started as an architect. The people he worked with saw potential in him as he was way
advance than his peers.

Next is that we have to do a scouting first and to see if the client we’re talking to is trustworthy
or not. We always have to be prepared at any given scenario since we don’t know what’s running on the
head of our client. This is why scouting is important. We will be somewhat prepared to deal with
anything that comes in sight and to dispatch it efficiently and with easy. Ar. Balanak also said that when
we’re a registered architect, we are not subject to change of order unless it is requested by the client.
The management should refer to the client first and the to the contractor. That is the time that the
change of order will be subject to execution. However, these changes should be fair for everyone as to
have a win-win situation that everyone can benefit to it.

Moving on, Ar. Balanak said that the most time-consuming part on the design process is the
foundation procedure layout since we have to get a lot of checking to do such us geodetic, surveying, the
topographic and many more. He also said that the request for approval, request for information, quality
control, etc., is also an important factor in why it is the most time-consuming part there is. The amount
visitation, checking and papers is a lot to itself and it does not include the plan itself. However, when the
foundations for the plan is laid, it is easy to make the structure from the ground up since all the
necessary precautions and checklists have already been signed and confirmed. As for the technique to
ensure the success of the project, Ar. Balanak told us that there won’t be a smooth project. A small
hiccup form here and there will occur at any point but the important things is that we should always do
our best to bring the best product for our client.

As for the blooper at the end, it was fairly expected since we also had a part like that in our
interview but, overall, their interview was clear and smooth all throughout the entire video. A job well
done for Arkimedia for bringing such a quality video which is not just interesting but also informative in
many ways possible.